Authorities stress sober rides on New Year's Eve

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota law enforcement officials say people planning to head out on New Year's Eve should also be thinking about that sober ride home.

The Department of Public Safety says extra patrols of state troopers and other law enforcers will be on the lookout for drunken drivers Tuesday night.

The New Year's holiday has been a big time for DWI arrests and alcohol-related crashes.

According to the department's Office of Traffic Safety, more than 2,300 people have been arrested for driving while intoxicated on Minnesota roads on New Years from 2008 on. There have five fatalities and more than 200 injuries from crashes involving impaired drivers.

Punishment for a DWI offense can be a lost license, jail time and thousands in fines and reinstatement fees. Repeat offenders face more severe consequences.